Colin F. Jones

IN THE PITS

Awarded: October 31, 2006It’s the waiting,
The expectancy,
The slow advance towards peril;
The rising of adrenalin,
The terrible shaking,
The fear,
The cold clamminess
As fear seeps away.
The chemical takeover of emotions
We have time to think.
Numbness follows,
Like a protective coat
Of cold steel…
But they don’t come!

Muscles relax reluctantly,
Blood pressure dropping.
The chemicals leak away
Restoring consciousness
Like shattering glass
Leaving an empty window
Of stolen dread.
I have survived
The trauma
Of nothing occurring
I have aged
In a moment
Something has died
Fear of death.